A blog for the sinfully chic & the fashion obsessed

Monthly Archives: February 2013

“After four years, Fashion’s Night Out will go on a hiatus in the U.S. in 2013. The event will still be staged in select international cities.

Launched at the height of the 2009 recession in New York, FNO was a celebration of shopping at a time when it was desperately needed to jump-start the city’s economy. After a positive consumer response, the event was held again in 2010, 2011 and 2012. By its fourth year, FNO had expanded to stores in over 500 cities nationwide and 30 cities around the globe.

While it was debatable whether FNO actually brought in additional sales for participating retailers, it was viewed more as a “big party” or “street festival,” and a chance to get people into stores and expose them to the latest fall fashions. Celebrities from Victoria Beckham to the Blue Man Group visited stores, stirring up crowds and excitement. Executives queried after FNO said they had hoped customers would avail themselves of the party favors and celebrity sightings and then come back at another time to buy items that caught their eye.

Over the past four years, designers and retailers found that they have had to invest more and more of their resources to maintain a high level of quality, and there unquestionably was some backlash, especially from designers who were staging fashion shows at the same time. The sponsors of the event — Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America and NYC & Co. — made the joint decision to go on hiatus so retailers and designers can focus their budgets on projects that are more in line with their specific objectives, rather than a big event on one night in September.

“Fashion’s Night Out brought great energy, optimism and enthusiasm to the city’s retailers, who make up a thriving part of our economy. We can always count on fashion industry leaders to use their creativity and savvy to benefit New York City — whether they are helping us recover from a national recession, a natural disaster or whatever the next challenge may be,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

Steven Kolb, chief executive officer of the CFDA, on behalf of the initiative, said, “We are immensely proud of the program and are grateful to all of our partners in fashion and retail. In addition to giving retailers a positive boost, Fashion’s Night Out also served to highlight the incredible economic impact and the millions of jobs that the fashion industry supports.”

Kolb explained that after every FNO, they always paused and reflected on the past year, and made a collective decision whether to continue. “You look at the event from many different angles, and we would always return to what was our original mission and purpose and that was to reinvigorate the shopping experience and the consumers’ engagement in stores. After this last one, we felt we had really created this renewed presence at retail that really brought added value and a fun experience back to shopping,” said Kolb.

He said FNO started at a point when the economy was down, and it has since improved. He said the event grew way beyond what the organizers thought it would be, both in the U.S. and internationally.

“It’s a big event. It has a lot of tentacles,” explained Kolb. What both the sponsors and retailers have learned is that it doesn’t have to take place one night a year, and instead, can be designer appearances and promotional events held throughout the year.

Asked if FNO was a big money maker, Kolb replied: “I don’t think the success of it was measured only by numbers or money, but was really about engagement.…Everyone feels we had a great four years. It brought a lot of attention to retail, to fashion’s important place in retail. Everyone feels really proud of what we accomplished, and excited to take those lessons and continuing them throughout the year.”

Over the past four years, FNO raised more than $1 million for NYC AIDS Fund. “This is something we’ll continue to support in other ways,” said Kolb.

Nicky Eaton, a spokeswoman for Condé Nast International, confirmed FNO will continue internationally. Vogue editions published by Condé Nast International have been hosting FNO for four years, and this will be its fifth year. She said that 19 countries will be participating in 2013. Thailand and Ukraine will be hosting FNO for the first time.” – Women’s Wear Daily

This season, designers express the many moods of fall with skillfully arranged collections that will enhance and enliven customers’ outlooks as the colder months set in. Similarly, colors come together to create moods that range from sophisticated and structured to lively and vivid, encapsulating our inherent need for wardrobe variety to reflect emotions that run from thoughtfully introspective to irrepressibly elated.

“Just as the leaves change in autumn, the consumer will enjoy the ability to change their ‘look’ and try a new approach to their wardrobe for brisk days ahead,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “The fall 2013 palette allows for that versatility and experimentation.”

With the changing season, the greens from spring evolve and develop. Multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate, bringing luxury and elegance to the palette, while yellow-toned Linden Green brings a lightness and brightness to the deeper shades of fall. Try pairing both with Mykonos Blue, a bold, meditative blue, for a classic and relaxed fall look.

Exotic Acai adds mystery and richness to the palette, and can be incorporated with the other colors to create a number of powerful fall combinations. Pair the elegant shade of purple with Emerald for a regal disposition, or spirited Samba red for an expressive and dramatic look. Koi, a decorative orange with dazzling and shimmering qualities, is a statement color that serves as a pick-me-up for your wardrobe. Vivacious, an unruly and wildly deep fuchsia, adds an ebullient sensuality to the palette.

Pair Vivacious with anchoring Deep Lichen Green, a naturally lush shade of green, for a dynamic juxtaposition that captures both ends of the seasonal spectrum. Rounding out this season’s cornerstone colors, Turbulence, a dark mercurial gray, and Carafe, a rich, glamorous brown, provide more interesting and sophisticated alternatives to the black basics usually worn in colder months. Both staple neutrals pair gracefully with more expressive colors within the palette, such as Samba, Koi and Vivacious. – Pantone Color Institute®

In an ever changing evolution of style, it seems there is one constant that remains, denim. Everyone who is anyone has worked the denim movement – jeans have been taking over the streets and the carpets from the days of James Dean and Marlon Brando. Though the styles change slightly from season to season, the consistently vast assortment makes denim everyone’s go to. These days we’re seeing everything from classic bell-bottoms to soft wide-legs to tailored prints and everything in between. However, there is one form of this perfect fabric that divides many: the skinny jean. The name alone makes many wonder whether they can pull off the look. Sure teenagers can wear them, but as we all know, your body type changes as you get older, so you may not feel confident and comfortable in them once you’re past 21. Fear not! Whether you’re an hourglass or a pear shape or neither, you’ll be able to find the right fit for you. It’s all about how you rock them: the right shoes, a flowing kaftan, even a simple accessory can transform the way you feel. Just take a look at the stars wearing this most simple and stylish item of clothing to see that the trend is eternal and that your jeans can take you anywhere, day to night, roadway to runway! From the fabulous Rachel Roy rocking her boyfriend jeans on the red carpet, to Blake Lively’s classic choice to Rihanna taking chances in statement-making acid wash, these trousers suit all shapes and sizes. The trend has been popular for many decades and never seems to go out of fashion. So when you need to update your denim wardrobe, Very’s range of skinny jeans will make sure you are at the forefront of what’s hot in the style stakes and that you an always find the best way to rock the right jeans your way.

The fashion God that he is, Marc Jacobs has done it again. Despite the delivery issues that postponed his show from Monday of NYFW to Valentine’s Day, the highly anticipated collection made everyone’s heart flutter, including mine. Only Marc can cover models in mullets and send them down the runway topless, all the while looking sexy, sleek and classy of course.

The giant suspended sun brought out the textures of the mohair sweaters, fox fur coats, and the flashy sequin ensembles. I am not a big fan of purple yet I want that flouncy purple sequined jumper hanging in my closet, just another example of the power of Jacobs influence. It isn’t a case of want, it is actually a necessity.

I am a lover of the pajama trend that’s happening right now. This ensemble is one my favorites. Beige silk button down shirt and short shorts to go from the bed to the streets. Perfect!

Nonetheless the collection left me breathless, as it always does. Marc Jacobs managed to produce a collection that can not only bring out the sexy inner-goddess of a woman, but also accentuate her feminine characteristics. I am looking forward to see what he has got in store for Louis Vuiton!

“After twenty years in the jewelry biz, TenThousandThings’ David Rees and Ron Anderson have a lot to be thankful for. The pair got their big break in 1993, when Kate Moss donned their signature cross pearl earrings in her now-iconic Calvin Klein ads. (Not a bad start, eh?) Since, the designers have racked up a seriously star-studded clientele that includes Julianne Moore, Cyndi Lauper, Christy Turlington, and Susan Sarandon. And they’re using their twentieth anniversary to show their patrons some gratitude.

Over the past two years, Rees and Anderson have worked on a multifaceted project they call Love & Adorn, for which they crafted a collection of one-of-a-kind precious and semiprecious wares inspired by their favorite customers. Inez & Vinoodh photographed sixteen of TTT’s clients, such as Freja Beha Erichsen, Kristen Stewart, Olivier Theyskens, and ballerina Heather Watts, wearing the anniversary range, which is up for auction on CharityBuzz.com through February 27. One hundred percent of the proceeds from each piece will be donated to the wearer’s charity of choice (the True Colors Fund, Doctors Without Borders, and Every Mother Counts among them). “The people who have supported us throughout the years are very important to us. Our way of celebrating our twentieth was to honor their patronage by supporting something they really care about,” said Rees. As for how Inez & Vinoodh got on board, Rees admits it was all Ms. Moore’s idea. “Julianne was the first person I spoke to who absolutely wanted to be involved, and when I asked her who she wanted to be photographed by, she said, ‘Inez & Vinoodh!’ I just thought, Oh God, how am I going to get them?” Lo and behold, Rees’ friend Lisa Immordino Vreeland introduced them at a dinner party. “They said yes in a second, because they’re cool and incredibly generous.”

“This project appealed to us because it is about giving back as a celebration of [TenThousandThings’] twenty years in the business,” Inez & Vinoodh told Style.com, noting that they were drawn to the designers’ “generous spirits.” Altruism aside, the project was apparently barrels of fun. (For instance, Sarandon’s son came in and played the ukulele during his mom’s photo session.) In fact, the photographers had such a blast during the shoot (which originally appeared in the January issue of V) that they’re collaborating with Rees and Anderson on a jewelry range for Fall 2013. Just in case there was any doubt, charity really is the gift that keeps on giving.”